By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan April 23, 2020 CHOPPER CRASH. A helicopter of the Philippine National Police (PNP) crashed upon takeof...
April 23, 2020
CHOPPER CRASH. A helicopter of the Philippine National Police (PNP) crashed upon takeoff after hitting a high-tension wire due to poor visibility in San Pedro, Laguna on March 5, 2020. PNP chief, Gen. Archie Gamboa said the condition of Maj. Gen. Mariel Magaway, one of the two police generals who were severely injured in the crash, is now improving. (Contributed photo)
MANILA – The condition of one of the two police generals who were among the passengers of the helicopter that crashed in Laguna last March has improved, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Gen. Archie Gamboa, said on Wednesday.
Gamboa said Maj. Gen. Mariel Magaway has shown good vital signs while undergoing rehabilitation.
“Actually gising na at nag-undergo na siya ng mga physical therapy at occupational therapy and then 'yung mga reactions niya, pati yung kanyang perception sa brain, all are normal. He can recall. Nakakausap na siya paminsan-minsan (Actually, he is conscious and is undergoing physical and occupational therapy. His reactions and brain perception are all normal. He is able to recall and is responsive at times),” he said in a radio interview.
However, Maj. Gen. Jovic Ramos remains in critical condition.
“(As for Maj.) Gen. Ramos, 'yun pa rin, (comatose) pa rin siya. Nakakalungkot talaga (He is still comatose. It is really sad). We are still praying he will be able to recover,” Gamboa said.
He said aside from the two generals, the two pilots, Lt. Col. Roel Zalatar and Lt. Col. Rico Macawili, and crew member Senior MSgt. Luis Estona, are still undergoing rehabilitation.
“'Yung dalawang piloto saka yung isang (The two pilots and one) crew are still undergoing rehab. Kasi kagaya nung co-pilot at saka yung isang crew, may tama sa spine, (like the co-pilot and the crew, they have a spine injury),” Gamboa said.
At about 8 a.m. on March 5, the ill-fated helicopter crashed upon takeoff after hitting a high-tension wire due to poor visibility caused by thick dust.
Earlier, Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, PNP deputy chief for operations and head of the Special Investigation Task Group, said they were looking into all angles that could have caused the crash, including the zero visibility due to thick dust and debris, the airworthiness of the chopper, and human error. (PNA)
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